Parking for free concept

SEAN FORD17 Jun 2014, midnight

BURNIE may follow Devonport's lead on making parking free on Saturdays.

BURNIE may follow Devonport's lead on making parking free on Saturdays.

Alderman Jim Altimira will tonight ask the Burnie City Council to investigate providing free Saturday parking in off-street car parks, but not in street parking bays."Devonport City Council has, for over 18 months, provided free parking on Saturdays at its various parking stations in the city and, from comments received from a number of shop owners, Saturday has now become their best trading day," Alderman Altimira wrote in supporting comments for his motion on notice.

He wrote he was sure Burnie traders and customers would appreciate such a move.

"Finally, let us not forget that municipalities adjacent to Burnie [Central Coast and Waratah- Wynyard] currently provide ongoing free parking every day."

Burnie City Council general manager Andrew Wardlaw said Alderman Altimira's idea would require careful consideration.

"Council imposes parking fees as a mechanism to ensure reasonable and equitable access and turnover in parking facilities during periods of highest anticipated demand," he wrote.

"Evidence of a boost in shopper participation in Devonport is anecdotal and would need to be investigated to determine whether it may have a similar alleged result in Burnie."

He said it would be necessary to consider whether removing Saturday parking fees would lead to early occupation of parking spaces by CBD workers, thus eliminating or cutting spaces for shoppers.